Electric welding-tool.



W. E. SYMONS.

ELECTRIC WELDING Tool.

A PPUCATION FILED FEB. 21. |917.

1,240,900. Patentedsept. 25,1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

c. Z/ElmamxlNVENTOF-h AITORN EY W. E. SYMONS.

ELECTRIC WELDING TOOL.

APPLICATION mso ff.2|. 19u.

Ptendsept. 25,1917.

2 SHEETS-SHET 2.

WILSON SYMONS, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y.

c ELECTRIC WELDING-Toor..

Speoiloation of Letters Patent.

Application led February 21, 1917. Serial No. 150,095.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, WILSON E. SrMoNs, a citizen of the United States, residing atl New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Electric Welding-Tool, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has reference to electric welding tools for use in connection with arc welding, and its object is to provide a tool, for the purpose, of convenient form for handling and containing control means within convenient reach of the operator, but so situated as to b e free from liability of being accidentally rendered active, or injured.

In accordance with the present invention the electrode holder includes a pistol-grip handle of hollow construction to contaln a protected switch and also house both the main and control conductors. The tool in# cludes an electrode clamp capable of hold- 'ing the electrode at different angles to the tionally heldl in adjusted positions.

The handle is provided with a switch for the distant controlof the current generating set with which the handle is employed and the contact portion of the switch is entirely inclosed within the handle while manipulating portions of the switch are situated in ,the part of the handle constituting the-pistol grip in such position that an. operator grasping the handle may readily move the switch to different operative positions. The manipulating portions of the switch, however, are so situated as to be entirely protected from accidental contact.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of. the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification` with the further understanding that while the drawings show a practical form of the invention. the latter is not confined to any strict conformity with the showing of the drawings, but may be changed and mcdied so long as such I handle changes and modifications come/within scope of'thea pended claims. In the draw1ngs:-- f

Patented sept. 25,1917.

the

-Figure 1v s a perspective `view on a reduced scale of an electrode-holder embodying the invention. l

Fig. 2 is al longitudinal section of the ortion of the electrodeholder, the scale bemg aboutfull size. l Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but including only a portion of the handle and showing a somewhat modified'form thereof.

Fig. Lis a section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2, with the electric conductors omitted.

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6 6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a face view of the fixed contacts of the switch and of the insulating support therefor.

Fig. 8 isa perspective view of thel switch and central contact with the parts separated to better show the construction.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view ofa spring used in conjunction with the switch.

Fi 10 is an elevation of one member of the e ectrode grip or clamp.

Fig. 11 is a section of the electrode or clamp taken along the line 11-1 Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a detail View similar inpart to rip of Fig. 4 showing a different means for mounting the electrode holder on the handle.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a handle member l in the form of a hollow casting with two branches 2, 3, respectively, united at one end and there formed into a necke and also united at the other end and formed into a casing 5( VThe member 2 0E the handle is the grip member and the member 3 constitutes a conduit through which there may be passed an electric conductor 6 constituting one of the main conductors of the apparatus, and designed to carry heavy current. The member 2 of the handle not only constitutes the grip member but through it extend .conductors 7 used for the control of the distantv generating unit, such as is commonly employed in connectionwith electric welding of the type with which the tool of the invention is used. f In the showing of Figs. 1 and 2 the neck 4 is made a continuation of the branch 2 of the handle. In Fig. 3 there is a neck 4a made a continuation of the branch 3 of the-handle. Otherwise the structure of Fig. 3 may be like that of Fig. 2. 'In both forms the handle is of the vpistol-grip type and the branches 2 and 3 are utihzed for housing appropriate portions of the main and control conductors secured by Aa acking nut 4". l

he pistol-grip handle, besides serving as `a housing for portions of the conductors, has

`the advantage of conforming closely to the graspin hand and facilitates the manipuation oD the tool by the operator.

The casin 5 has anopen end 8 and is provided wit a ca plate 9 which latter is conveniently held y screwsv 10 threaded through lugs 11 within the body of the handle, so that'the cap plate 9 may be readily removed when desired. The cap plate is set into the casing 5 so that when secured in place its outer face is 'fiush with the corresponding face of the casing, making/'a smooth and unobtrusive finish.

Extending through the casin 5 and trav-v ersing the side walls thereof is agbolt 12 upon which are mounted corresponding ends of legs 13 which together with jaws 14 constitute a clamp or electrode holder for an electrode 15. l

In welding apparatus of the type to whichv theinvention relates, the electrodes 15 are customaril metal wires of appropriate gage, of which o. 9,. approximating five-thirtyseconds or .1483 of.' an inch in diameter is the size usually employed. Of course, it lis to .be understood that various sizes are used in accordance with the work to be done.

Thejaws 14 are or may be in the form of blocks fast to the legs 13 at the ends remote from the bolt or pivot 12, and each jaw is formed with ves 16 arranged at various angles with t e grooves of one jaw matching those of the other, so that the electrode 15 may be held in the jaw in alinement therewith, or at ri ht angles thereto, or in different angular re ations to the length of the electrode holder. The le so that the jaws 14 are maintained in contact with some force, or may be separated for the'msertion of an electrode 15, lthe approachingfforce exerted on the jaws being suicient lto hold the electrode 15 by elastic pressure. When it is desired to insert or remove 'an electrode the legs 13 may be readily foroedmpart atth jaw end for a distance su'cient to insert or remove the electrode.

The ends of the legs 13 remote from the jaws 14 are made divergent and enter the casing 5 where they are traversed by the bolt 12, such divergent ends being indicated at 18. These extensions 18 have' passages therethrough of a size considerably greater than lthe diameterA of the bolt 12, so as to accommodate insulating bushin I19in. surrounding to the bolt.A

13 are secured together at a dlstance from t e jaws 14 by a rivet 17 v vergent end 18 and the adjacent wall of the casing 5 the bolt 12 carries a spacer 20 of insulating material.

Also mounted on the bolt 12 and located b'etween the extensions 18 is a block 21 which may be of metal and is separated from the adjacent walls of the extensions 18 of the legs 13 by washers 22 of insulating material. The end portions of the extensions 18 remote from the legs 13 are connected by a screw 23 insulated from the block' 21,

` which it traverses, `by a sleeve 24 of insulating material. The block 21 is thereby firmly lconnected with the legs 13 of the electrode holder, but is insulated therefrom at all points.

That face of the block 21 remote from the legs 13 is formed with notches 25 into. any

one of which a pawl 26 may enter, this pawl up of the legs 13 held in' adjusted positions with sufficient firmness to prevent change of relation of the handle member of the de- VVvice under ordinary conditions of use, and

especially under the conditions existent when the device is being used for welding.

The adjustment afforded by the yieldable Y. locking of the electrode carrier comprising the legs 13 and jaws 14, and the adjustment afforded by the numerous grooves 16 in the jaws 14 provide for all necessary changes of position of the electrode 15 with reference to the handle. This permits the ad'ustment of the electrode to the work to be one and lgreatly facilitates thevuse of the device.

Instead of providing the electrode clamp or carrier with elastically yieldable temporary holding means, the block 21 and sprin 27` may be omitted and the bolt 12 replac by an elongated rivet 12. Furthermore, the insulating washers 22 may then be re laced by an insulating spacer block 22. therwise, the structure may be the same as that `already described and more particularly shown in Fig. 4. By making the connection provided for by the rivet 12` suicientl tight the electrode carrier will be held in di ferent adjusted positions solely by friction, but this is effective for most conditions, and because of its simplicity is to be preferred.

In order to provide at the electrode holder means for the control of the current roduced by a distant generating unit, a p ate 2 9 of -insulating material is made fast to 'that ywall of the casing 5 remote from, the

open end 8 thereof, such wall being indicated at 30. Screws 31 Vconstitute a convenient means for securing the plate 21. to the wall 30. Secured to the plate 29 about midway of its width and near what constitutes the upper end of the plate in the ordinary operative position of the device, there is a conducting strip 32 shown separately in Fig. 8. One end of this strip is formed into a sleeve 33 forthe reception of one of the conductors 7 and the other end of the strip, which is extended centrally along the plate 29, is provided with a spread contact terminal 34. The plate 32 may be made fast to the late 29 by a screw 35 and at an appropriate ocation on the plate 32 it carries a pin 36 projecting therefrom toward the mouth 8 of the casing 5.

4.Projecting through the plate 29 near what constitutes the lower end thereof is a pivot pin 37 extending into the space between the branches 2 and 3 of the handle' and suitably insulated from any contact with metallic parts of the handle. Exterior to the casing 5` the pin 37 has `fast thereto amanipulating handle 38 which may be inthe formy of a 'strip of sheet metal bent upon itself at the ends and held4 to the pin 37 by lock nuts 39. The handle member 38 is provided at the end remotefrom the pin 37 with a manipulating knob 40'so positioned as to be readily engaged by the'n er or thumb of l su the operator when thehan is trasping the member or branch 2 of the han e 1.

Within .the casing 5 the pin 37 carries a switch arm 41 having an extension 42 terminating in Vwings 43 projecting laterally fromthe extensions 42, and between these wings 43 the terminal portion of the arm 42 is formed with a notch 44 for a purpose to be described. The extension 42 is joined to the switch arm 4-1 by a pivot pin 45 and the switch arm 41 and extension 42vare held in normal alinement by a spring 46 surrounding the pin 45 and having, its opposite ends engaging the switch arm 41 and the extension 42, respectively.A

Thearrangement is such that when the switch,I arm'41 is properlv located it bears uponithe contact terminal 34. Fast to the p ate 29 by` screws 47 or otherwise are contact terminals 48 each in the path of a respective one ofthe wings 43. Ordinari] the pin 36 is lodged in .the notch 44 an the spring 46 maintains the switch arm 41 in a central position, the switch handle 38 bein then in a similar position. When the switc handle 38 isinoved to one side or the other of the central position the switch arm 41' i causin swltch lever tends to return the extension 42A into alinement with the switch arm 41, thus the extension 42 to snap against one o the contacts 48 producing a quick break and quick contact. I

To maintain the switch in a central position there is rovided a swing 47* surrounding the pin 3 which latter is provided with a head 48a having a groove 49 `traversed by a portion of the .spring 47 while the spring 47 has terminal portions 56 engagin in-the plate 29.

he operation of the device is in the main similar to electric welding tools of the same general type as the invention, the current being fed to the electrode 15 by wa of the up to Athe other side of the circuit in the usual manner.

The tool is advantageous `over other tools of a similar nature in providing great flexibility in the angular relation of the electrode with respect to the tool, so that the electrode may be properly directed to the work to be performed without the necessity of the operator assuming an uncomfortable position, as would often be the case with electrode holders where the angulan relation of the electrode to the holder cannot be varied.

Moreover, the pistol-gri form of the handle prevents fatigue an by makin the handle" hollow and housing portions o the conductors the latter are out of the wa and the device is correspondin ly lightene and utilized. The location o the controllin switch inside of the handle and yetaccessib e to the switch throu accident or carelessness, no portion of t e switch being Aexposed at any outer surfaceof the handle.

The sleeve 33 has been described as receiving one ofthe conductors 7. The other two conductors, there being three of such conductors, are connected to the respective terminals 48 by the screws 47, or 1n any other appropriate manner.

The conductor 6 is connected to a socket 51 on one end of a plate 52 carried by the bolt 12 in face to face contact with one of the extensions 18 of the electrode holder. The plate 52 is insulated from the bolt 12 which passes through. it by one of the washers 19 which is made long enough for the purpose.

In another a plication No. 170,221, filed May! 22nd, 191 2 there is shown and described an electric welding tocl having features in common with the electric welding tool `herein shown and described, and it is lio to be'understood that claims in this application are intended to be comprehensive enough inv scope to cover those features which are common to both applications.

What is claimed is :-f 1. An electric welding'tool provided with av handle portion and an' electrode holder mounted on the handle for movement into different angular relations theretoand provided. with means lwherebby the electrode holder may bemaintained in diferen-t ad- 'usted positions against disturbing forces incident to the use of the tool.

2. An electric welding tool provided with a handle portion and anv electrode holder mounted on the handle fon movement into different angular relations thereto and provided vwith means whereby the electrode holder may be maintained in different adjusted positions against disturbing forces incident to the use of the tool,`the electrode holder also bein provided with means for setting and holding the electrode in diierent angular relations to the holder.

3. An electric welding tool having a vhollow handlefportion constituting a'conduit for electric conductors, an electrode holder carried by the handle portion, and a controllin vswitch inclosed in the handle portion an having a manipulatiii part extending to .the exterior of the hand e portion. and located interior to the outer surfaces of the handle portion. l

4. An electric welding tool having a hollow pistol-grip handle with spaced portions constituting conduits for electric conductors,

an electrode holder carried by the` handle portion, and a controllingeswitch housed ineA the handle portion and provided with a manipulating member extending into the 'space exterior to the walls of the handle and Alocated between the parts of the -handle constituting the: conduits for electric conductors.l i

handle portion and an electrode holder pivotall mounted on and projecting' from the han le rtion with the electrode holder and han e portion in frictional enga ent resistant to. the displlacin forces inci ent to vthe operation of t e too and yieldableto purposely applied forces for changing the angular relation of the electrode holder to the handle.

handle member and an electrode holdercarried thereby and provided with yieldable' electrode holding jaws having a plurality' of differently located electrode receivin portions for clam ing the electrode .in di ferent angular re ations to the holder.

7., Inan electricweldin tool, an electrode vholder havingl electrode olding jaws with .l a normal ten ency to approach and inl such e6 normally closed relation as to automatically 5. An electric welding tool i having a" 6. An electric welding tool having a clamp an electrode between them, said jaws Abeing yieldable to a purposely ap lied separating force and also having a p urality of holding portions for the electrodes located in different angular relations to each other. '8. In an electric welding tool, a handle, and an electrode holder pivotally mounted thereon, said electrode holder comprising like joined members each terminating at one end in a jaw with the jaws in normally engagin opposed relation and coactively shape to hold an electrode in different angular positions with reference to the ho der and the members of the holder having the ends remote from the jaws divergent and mounted in and insulated from the handle for movements about an axis to variousl position the holder in different angular re ations to the handle.

9. An electric weldingtool having a hol- 'low handle with spaced portions constituting conduits for electric conductors and of pistol-grip conformation, the spaced ortions uniti in a casing open at the end) remote from t e spaced portions, and an electrode holder having one end mounted in the casing. v

10. An electric welding tool having a hollow handle with spaced .portions constituting conduits for electric conductors-and of pistol-grip conformation, the spaced portions unitin in a casing open at the end remote from t e spaced portions, and an electrode holder having one end mounted in the casing, the tool also being rovided with an electric switch located wit in the casing and having a manipulating portion extending to the space between the two spaced members `and there acceible.

11. An electricweldin tool comprising a handle member and an e ectrode holder carried thereb the handle member being in the form of a ollow castin with two branches in spaced relation unite at the ends to constitute conduits for electric conductors', said casting being formed with a casing housing one end ofthe electrode holder and at a point distant from the casing provided with 'an outlet opening for electric conductors extendinlthrough the casting.

12. electric welding tool com rising a handle member and an e ectrode ho der carried thereby, the handle member being in the form of a hollow casting with two branches in spaced relation united at the ends to constitute conduits for ,electric conductors, said casting being formed with a casing housing one end ofthe electrode holder and at a pointl distant from the casin provided with an outlet opening for electric conductors extending through the casting and the branch of the casting remote from the casing being shaped to constitute a pistol gnP- 13. A nvelectric welding tool comprising a nipulating portion protected by the handle member from accidental contact.

14. An electric welding tool comprising a hollow pistol-grip handle portion provided with `a casing at one end, an electrode holder carried at one end in the casing formed on the handle, and an electric switch housed in the casing and provided with a manipulating portion exterior to the casing and adjacent to the gripping portion of the handle for manipulation by the hand lof the operator while grasping the handle.

,15. In an 'electric welding tool provided with a hollow handle and an electrode holder carried thereby, an electric circuit controlling switch having a switch arm and circuit terminals housed within the hollow handle with a manipulating member connected to the switch arm and exterior to the hollow handle and located in position to be manipulated by the hand of an operator grasping the handle.

16. In an electric welding tool having a hollow handle and an electrode holder carried thereby, a circuit controlling switch having a rockable'switch arm and a series of contacts with conductor receiving parts all housed within the handle and insulated therefrom and protected by the handle from access,.and a manipulating member for the switch arm extending to the outside of the handle and located in position to be moved by the hand of the operator grasping the handle.

17. In an electric welding -tool having a hollow handle and an electrode holder carried thereby, a circuit controlling switch having a rockable switch arm and a series of contacts with conductor receiving parts all housed within the handle and insulated therefrom and protected bythe handle from access, and a manipulating member for the switch arm extending to the outside of the handle and located in position to be moved by the hand of the operator grasping the handle, the switch having means for constraining the switch arm to a central position and for there temporarily holding it and yieldable to purposely applied forces tending to move the switch arm to other active positions.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing' as f my own, I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

WILSON E. SYMON S.

Witnesses:

HARRY J. EY, JAMES E. MAHON. 

